The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Aisha Garba, has revealed that access to the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Matching Grant by state governments has increased by more than 70 per cent following a series of reforms introduced by the commission.
Garba disclosed this during the launch of UBEC’s Digital Transformation and Change Management Roadmap and the inauguration of 100 Digital Champions in Abuja, describing the reforms as a major step towards strengthening accountability, transparency, and efficiency in the delivery of basic education across Nigeria.
She noted that the reforms align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises education as a critical driver of national development.
According to the UBEC boss, the commission reviewed and redesigned the UBE Matching Grant framework to make it more flexible and responsive to the unique needs of individual states, thereby removing barriers that previously hindered access to the intervention funds.
“We have revised the UBE Matching Grant framework, and as a result, access to the grant has increased by over 70 per cent. States that previously struggled to access the funds can now do so because the new structure gives them greater flexibility to address their specific educational priorities,” Garba stated.
She explained that UBEC has also introduced a data-driven planning approach aimed at improving the effectiveness of educational interventions under the UBE programme.
Under the new system, states are required to utilise enrolment statistics, identified infrastructure deficits, and other critical educational indicators when designing and implementing projects funded through the matching grant scheme.
Garba further disclosed that the commission has fully digitised its planning and approval processes, enabling state governments to prepare, submit, and track education intervention plans electronically.
According to her, the digital platform allows UBEC to review and approve projects online while making information about fund utilisation accessible to the public.
“The planning template is now fully digital. Whether a state is in Lagos, Kano, Rivers, or anywhere else in the country, officials can prepare and submit their plans online. UBEC can review and approve them digitally, and the information becomes publicly accessible,” she said.
She added that the initiative is designed to deepen transparency and accountability in the education sector by enabling citizens to monitor how much funding their states receive and the projects executed with the resources.
“Members of the public can visit UBEC and State Universal Basic Education Board websites to see the funds being accessed and the projects being implemented. This is helping to strengthen transparency and public trust in the management of basic education resources,” she added.
Garba also highlighted the commission’s efforts to drive digital transformation in schools through the establishment of digital learning hubs and the deployment of technology-driven teaching tools.
She disclosed that UBEC has established digital learning centres in junior secondary schools across the country, equipped with smart boards, computers, and solar-powered infrastructure to enhance teaching and learning.
According to her, the commission has already distributed more than 3,000 smart boards nationwide as part of its strategy to create smart classrooms and expand access to digital education.
“We are working closely with State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) to scale up the initiative. The model combines smart boards, computers, and solar power solutions, ensuring that both online and offline educational content remain accessible to learners and teachers,” she said.
Speaking on the inauguration of the 100 Digital Champions, Garba described the initiative as a critical component of UBEC’s digital transformation agenda.
She explained that the Digital Champions would serve as change agents within the commission, leading efforts to replace manual processes with technology-driven systems across departments and programmes.
“This marks a new era for the commission. We are moving beyond traditional methods by digitising our operations, improving communication, enhancing information management, and delivering services more efficiently through technology. The Digital Champions will play a central role in driving this transformation,” she stated.
Garba expressed optimism that the Digital Transformation and Change Management Roadmap, alongside ongoing reforms, would significantly improve operational efficiency, strengthen evidence-based decision-making, and ultimately enhance learning outcomes for millions of Nigerian children.
She reaffirmed UBEC’s commitment to leveraging innovation and technology to build a more responsive, transparent, and effective basic education system capable of meeting the demands of the 21st century.
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